Annual Meeting

In December of 2013 Domestic Fair Trade Association gathered in Florida for several days of learning, teaching, connecting, and inspiring one another for the year ahead. Our gracious host, Farmworker Association of Florida grounded our meeting in a deep sense of place and purpose by taking us on a toxic tour of Lake Apopka. Exposure to the heartbreak of environmental racism in central Florida, and also to the resiliency of the farmworker justice movement, set a tone of urgency and hope for us in the following days of discussions about the future of domestic fair trade.

Here are some highlights (just to name a few):

-Welcoming our newest members New Orleans Food Co-op, Brooklyn Food Coalition, Upstream Natives, and Greenwillow Grains into the DFTA.

-An interactive peer review process that deepened our commitment to domestic fair trade principles and the creation of an authentic community of accountability.

-The approval of an Associate Membership category to grow our movement beyond the current stakeholder groups.

-The presentation of our evaluation work examining fair trade marketplace claims, and the thoughtful discussions about this program’s next steps.

-Farmworker Association of Florida’s delicious food, fantastic dancing, and inspiring presentations during the community forum on farmworker issues in domestic fair trade.

Rosalinda Guillen, Executive Director of Community to Community Development, describes the importance of long term trading relationships during the peer review

Marty Mesh of Florida Organic Growers with Agricultural Justice Project's youngest member

DFTA members share best practices in domestic fair trade during the peer review session

Grace Cox letting lose after a long day of meetings

New DFTA board member, AJ, addresses attendees. Welcome aboard AJ and our newest member, New Orleans Food Co-op!

Meg Kennedy (Central Co-op), Maru Villalpando (C2C), and Ernesto Bustos (Centro Campesino) prep for a workshop

Dinner at Lake Meadow Naturals Farm. Special thanks to farmer Dale and Local Roots Distribution

Colette Cosner (DFTA) and Nelson Carrasquillo (CATA) coordinate logistics

Farmworker Association of Florida dancers share a special routine with us during the community forum on domestic fair trade

Lake Apopka Toxic Tour. Special thanks to Jeannie Economos and Linda Lee for orienting us to the local struggles for farmworker justice

Tirso Moreno (DFTA board member and General Coordinator of Farmworker Association of Florida) addresses the DFTA during the community forum

Micheal Sligh (RAFI USA) and Marty Mesh (FOG) stroll through the community garden

Florida Farmworker and Activist Linda Lee educates annual meeting attendees about the history of environmental racism during the Lake Apopka Toxic Tour

Yolanda Gomez (Farmworker Association of Florida) sharing her thoughts on the food sovereignty projects of FWAF

Marla Carlson (Farmer Direct Cooperative), Ernesto Bustos (Centro Campesino), and Colette Cosner (DFTA) share a laugh in the Apopka Community Garden

Lake Apopka Toxic Tour

C2C leaders at the Apopka Community Garde

We are filled with gratitude for all the attendees who came to our meeting with hopeful energy and open hearts. For those who could not make it, know that you were missed and that we are so thankful for your tireless commitment to health, justice, and sustainability in all that you do.

As always any thanks to our sponsors!